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7 tips for creating a great resume

In the world of recruiting, the resume is a constant. Despite changing technologies, the resume is essentially the same as it was 50+ years ago. Modernizing your resume requires making only a few changes that can seriously impact your candidacy for a role. We surveyed recruiters working at Thomson Recruiters to bring you the tools and tips you need to create a resume that will make it to the top of the pile.

Use a template

There are a lot of free, online tools that will assist you with the design and layout of your resume. Choose the one that works best for you on sites such as Canva, Novoresume, and Hloom. Make sure you tailor the format of your resume to the type of position you want: if you’re a graphic designer, focus on the visual design; if you’re a technical professional, use bullets and highlight your technical skills.

Keep it to one page

Your resume should only include the most compelling things you want to share with an employer. If you have more skills than you can fit on one page, have multiple versions of your resume that highlight your different skillsets. Choose the version of your resume that most closely fits the position to which you are applying.

Include a summary statement

Give a 2-3 sentence summary, or elevator pitch, about your experience and what makes you the best candidate for the role. Many recruiters will read this even if they only scan the rest of your resume.

Add keywords

Most resumes are no longer scanned by humans, but by bots. These bots will look for specific keywords to see if you’re a match for the role. Be sure to review the job description thoroughly and ensure that your resume includes a lot of the keywords used in the job description. Make the bots work for you!

Add a skills section

One great way to include keywords is to add a skills section that highlights your most relevant skills. Be sure your skills match to the role(s) to which you are applying. If you are applying to a software developer position, don’t include skills like social media.

Consider creating a personal website

Personal branding is becoming increasingly important. One way to showcase your skills and experiences is to create a website or landing page that expands beyond your resume. You can include a portfolio of your work, a personal blog or links to articles where you are featured. There are plenty of free websites that provide you with a template and are easy to create, such as Wix,SiteBuilder, and SquareSpace.